INDIANAPOLIS — No need to wonder about any draft-day drama if the Colts decide to keep Peyton Manning around for at least another season. Stanford QB Andrew Luck said Friday he’d be plenty willing to back up Manning if put in that situation.

“If I have the opportunity to learn from a guy like that, of course you’re going to take advantage of it,” Luck said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Absolutely.”

Just a few minutes before Luck took the podium at Lucas Oil Stadium to address reporters, Baylor QB Robert Griffin III said he’d “hold the clipboard with pride” if chosen by the Colts.

Luck quickly put aside any wonder about whether or not Griffin’s willingness to embrace such a situation could impact the Colts’ decision with the No. 1 overall draft pick. If Indianapolis kept Manning around — yes, we know it doesn’t appear overly likely at this point — it begged the question of if Luck might pull a power move to avoid that spot.

Instead, the probable top pick had nothing but praise for Manning.

“Peyton was my football hero,” Luck said. “That’s who I modeled myself after. You never replace a guy like that. … Who knows what happens?”

While Luck didn’t talk too much about the potential possibilities of replacing Manning should that be the way things play out, he did recognize why the questions are being asked. He isn’t naïve to the current situation.

“I understand,” Luck said. “The questions have to be asked. It’s part of it. I understand the speculation. In my mind, nothing has happened yet. I haven’t been drafted by any team.”

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Combine presented by Under ArmourThe 2013 Scouting Combine, which will be held from Feb. 20 to Feb. 26, is the annual job fair for prospective new NFL players. Players are put through a series of drills, tests and interviews at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with more than 600 NFL personnel including head coaches, general managers and scouts in attendance.